Captain Aiden Markram led from the front when it mattered and took the game away from New Zealand. The captain of South Africa meant business in the chase. While bowling first, he rotated the bowlers really well as well and that kept everyone on their toes. In the first innings, Marco Jansen‘s 4-wicket haul and others chipping in kept New Zealand down to 175/7 in 20 overs with others chipping in with wickets. Mark Chapman played well for New Zealand.
In reply, Aiden Markram blazed away in Ahmedabad as he single-handedly tore everyone apart. Yes, he was supported by Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and David Miller towards the end but it was all about the captain leading from the front as his unbeaten 86 off 44 balls and carrying his bat took the side over the line in a one-sided game yet again in the tournament.
Marco Jansen’s 4-wicket haul limits New Zealand to 175/7
Put into bat first, keeper batter Tim Seifert and Finn Allen came out to bat for New Zealand. Lungi Ngidi came into the attack for South Africa. The Kiwi openers gave New Zealand a good start scoring 33 runs inside 4 overs. The partnership was worth 33 runs for the first wicket before Seifert fell for 13 off 9 balls with one four and one six to his name to Marco Jansen. Rachin Ravindra came out to bat next.
Ravindra showed innovativeness and played his shots to try and forge a partnership. Ravindra played his shots here and there. The duo put on a partnership of 24 runs for the second wicket before Ravindra fell for 13 off 8 balls with one four and one six to his name. Glenn Phillips came out to bat next. Jansen got another as he dismissed Allen for 31 off 17 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes to his name. Mark Chapman came to the crease as New Zealand were 58/3 in 6 overs.
Another wicket fell just after the powerplay as 6 runs were added to the score before Phillips was cleaned up for 1 off 3 balls by Keshav Maharaj. Daryl Mitchell came to the crease with New Zealand struggling at 64/4 in the 7th over. Thereafter, it was Chapman and Mitchell who aced the middle phase of the game successfully. The duo played the entire middle phase surviving the scare here and there. Chapman and Mitchell put on 74 runs off 44 runs for the 5th wicket before Chapman fell for 48 off 26 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes to his name. Mitchell Santner came out to bat next. Just 3 runs were scored before Mitchell too fell for 32 off 24 balls with 2 fours and one six to his name to Ngidi.
Jimmy Neesham came out to bat next. 4 runs were added to the tally before captain Santner fell for 4 off 10 balls to Corbin Bosch. Neesham and Henry batted well for the rest of the innings and added a crucial unbeaten 30 run stand for the 8th wicket. Neesham played some good shots and Henry got a boundary as well. So, New Zealand ends with 175/7 in 20 overs. Just one extra given by the fielding side.
Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/40 in 4 overs. Lungi Ngidi has bowled well with figures of 1/34 in 4 overs. Keshav Maharaj chipped in with 1/24 in 3 overs. Corbin Bosch finished with 1/34 in 4 overs. Aiden Markram finished an over for 15 runs. This meant that South Africa needed 176 runs to win and get the points and remains in top spot.
Aiden Markram’s blistering unbeaten 86 powers South Africa past the line in series decider
Chasing 176 for the win, captain Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock came out to bat for South Africa while Matt Henry had ball in hand for New Zealand. It was the Aiden Markram show all the way as he just tore apart the New Zealand bowlers. The others with him like Quinton de Kock played their part, but it was Markram all the way as the Proteas destroyed the Kiwis bowlers. The opening duo put on 62 inside 5 overs before de Kock fell for 20 off 14 balls with 3 fours and one six to his name to Lockie Ferguson. Ryan Rickelton came out to bat next.
Rickelton started quickly but Markram was unstoppable for the opposition. Rickelton was great as way as the powerplay score was 83/1 as the Proteas were in full control of everything. The duo carried on their good work as Markram blitz away to a half-century in quick time. Markram and Rickelton put on 40 runs for the second wicket before Rickelton fell after scoring 21 off 11 balls with 2 fours and one six to his name. The cameo was over. Dewald Brevis came out to bat next.
Markram continued his merry ways as he breathed fire. Brevis got a bit of a start and put on 29 runs for the third wicket before Brevis fell for 21 off 17 balls with one four and one six to his name. Ravindra got a wicket to his name. Finisher David Miller came out to bat next. Things slowed down for South Africa but they did that purposefully to settle into the game as the run rate was no longer a factor after powerplay. This match could have ended in 15 overs but it went a bit longer. Miller played himself in and played his shots. The duo made sure that there would be no hiccups anymore.
Miller hit the winning runs as South Africa got over the line by 7 wickets with 17 balls to spare and stay unbeaten against New Zealand in T20 World Cups. They go top of Group D as well. Markram remained unbeaten on 86 off 44 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes to his name. David Miller remained unbeaten on 24 off 17 balls with one four and one six to his name. South Africa finished with 178/3 in 17.1 overs with 6 extras given by the fielding side.
Lockie Ferguson finished with 1/33 in 3.1 overs. Jimmy Neesham finished with 1/15 in 2 overs. Rachin Ravindra finished with 1/9 in 1 over. Matt Henry finished with 0/38 in 4 overs. Jacob Duffy went for 50 in 3 overs. Mitchell Santner the captain went for 33 runs in 4 overs. So, South Africa win by 7 wickets with 17 balls to spare. Marco Jansen was awarded the Player of the Match Award.
What Lies Ahead
So, South Africa go top of the points table in Group D with this win while New Zealand slips to 2nd place. Both on course to qualify for next stage i.e. Super 8s. South Africa has UAE in their last Group game in New Delhi while New Zealand has Canada in a game in Chennai in their last Group game.
More action coming your way on Super Sunday. First up we are in Mumbai for West Indies vs Nepal at 11 AM IST in a Group C clash. This will be followed by USA vs Namibia in a Group A clash at 3 PM IST in Chennai. And then the big one, a Group A clash at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo where India takes on Pakistan from 7 PM IST at Premadasa Stadium. So, all to play for on Super Sunday.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Aiden Markram Gives South Africa A Lightning Start In Chase.